Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-03-10


being in easy circumstances financial
ly.
Shakespeare made his first success as
player and not as poet. Previous
to his well-earned renown AS a player,
we must not forget the fact that players
were almost universally held in con-
tempt. But Shakespeare not only
overcame all prejudices which had ex-
listed against his calling, but gained
the good will and patronage Of the aris-
tocracy and nobility in his favor. 1t
was through the influence of Lord
Southampton who, in 1908, addressed
a petition to the lord chancellor, Files
more, that Shakespeare obtained a part
ownership in the Blacktriar's theatre.
In this petition. which. it is said, has
recently been discovered. Lord South
ampton speaks of Shakespeare in the
IoilO" ILL., latlg udSc iic - hiN SSfS
cial friend till of late an actor in the
companv. now a sharer in the same.
and writer of some of our best English
plays, which,as your lordsbip knoweth.
were most singularly liked of Queen
Elizabeth, when the company was
called upon to perform before her ma
iesty at court at Christmas and Shrove-
tide. His most gracious majesty. Xii
James also, since his coming TO the
crown. hath extended his royal favor
to the company in divers ways, and at
sundry times"
Shake>peare's shares in Blackfriar's
theatre amounted to upwards Of fli53,
and he was also n sharer il the Globe
theatre at Southwark.
In 1907 his oil lest daughter. Susan
ma. became the wife Of DR.. Hall Of
Straiford. man of high professional
eminence In zoos his grandchild,
Elizabeth. was born. he becoming a
grandfather at the early age OF 43
wears. TO her he hequeathed in his
will sum of money and. with few cx
ceptions, all the plate he possessed.
Shakespeare's mother died in 1908.
There appears to be good evidence
to show that Shakespeare was an actor
in one Of Ben Jonson's plays in 1908
and shortly after that time he retired
permanently from the stage, returning
to Straiford where he employed his
time and talent in gardening, farming
and in writing PLAYS tor the London
theatres in which he still held an in
terest 1t is said that nj this time he
wrote two PLAYS a year for which he re-
ceived so liberal compensation that
he was able to spend fl000 per an
num-
1t IS certain that he lived in the best
house in the place and that he spent
large sums Of money in improving his
grounds. gardens, orchards, &c, in
which he took a very lively interest.
Abont this time-lG0j and subsequent
vcars-he wrote Leah. Macbeth, GYM
heliue. the Winters Tale and the Tenn
pest.
1t is believed that Henry VIII was
produced in 1913, and that it was one
OF the last of Shakespeare productions.
In 1916 his second daughter, judith.
was married to Thomas Quimhy.
Shakespeare survived this event but
two months. diving on his SIND biith-
iay. April %. 1915. He was buried
in TIA" chanccl OF the parish church ut
>tratford and a monument. with like
ness, was afterwards placed 10 point
out the spot. On this tablet, AS we'll
IL on his graycetone, were placed what
would be regarded AT this day as most
singular and uncouth inscriptions
Shakespeare had two daughters and
one son. Hamlet. who died at the age
of twelve years. The last lineal descen-
dan' of Shakespeare, Lady Barnard.
died in 1855. His wife. who was
eight years hl- senior, died August 9,
1929.
History tells US but comparatively
little of Shakespeare boyhoOd and
bis mature life At best we only catch
gimp-es of the deeds lie wrought out,
and which 60 to make up the life lie
lived IL bis written works which he
has left behind him, he hes revealed his
great powers. his broad views and his
present aud president knowledge of
men and things. 1t has been said of
him: We look into his productions
and see the workings OF mind that 'ex-
hausted worlds and then created new
a soul that mirrored all other souls, as
the lake gives back the image of every
star that shines upon it. We admire,
We all but worship. a genius that
seems so near to INSPIRATION
Our High School.